How to Make Negative Sentences in the Present Tense

Knowing how to make negative sentences is an important part of learning English.

When we're talking in the present tense, we often use the helper verb "do" to create negative sentences.

Let’s break down how to make these sentences and go over some key grammar points that will help you learn.

Key Grammar Points

1. Subject-Verb Agreement in Present Tense

In English, the verb must agree with the subject. Here are some basic rules:

• For singular subjects (he, she, it), we add an "s" to the verb in the present tense:
  • Example: She runs every morning.
• For plural subjects and the pronouns "I" and "you," we use the basic form of the verb:
  • Example: They run every day.

2. Making Negative Sentences in Present Tense

To make negative sentences, we usually follow these steps:

• Use "do not" (don’t) for plural subjects and for "I" and "you."
• Use "does not" (doesn’t) for singular subjects (he, she, it).

Structure:

• Subject + do/does + not + base verb

Examples:

• I do not like broccoli. (I don’t like broccoli.)
• They do not play soccer. (They don’t play soccer.)
• She does not eat meat. (She doesn’t eat meat.)

3. Using Questions with Negatives

While making negative sentences, you can also ask questions. Use words like "why," "where," or "how." Here are some examples:

• Why do you not play football?
• Where does she not go after school?

These questions can help start more conversations.

4. Using Connecting Words

Words like "and," "but," and "or" can help connect ideas when you make sentences.

Example Sentences:

• I like apples, but I do not like oranges.
• He plays cricket, and he does not play baseball.
• Do you prefer tea, or do you not like it?

5. Quick Reminder About Past Tense

Just for comparison, remember that in the simple past tense, we use "did not" to make negative sentences:

• I did not go to the party last night.
• She did not finish her homework.

Practice Activity

To help you practice, try to make sentences using these prompts:

1. (I / not like) pizza.

   • Answer: I do not like pizza. (I don’t like pizza.)

2. (They / not go) to the cinema.

   • Answer: They do not go to the cinema. (They don’t go to the cinema.)

3. (He / not play) guitar.

   • Answer: He does not play guitar. (He doesn’t play guitar.)

Keep practicing these sentences. This will help you feel more confident when making negative sentences in English.

Conclusion

By learning how to create negative sentences in the present tense, and understanding how verbs need to match their subjects, you’ll be ready for basic conversations in English.

Keep practicing, and soon making negative sentences will be easy for you!